Skate device



H. C. LONG SKATE DEVICE. -APPLiCAT|ON FILED MAY 3' I920 1,380,914. Patented June 7,1921;

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. awveuiom I Hillary 6'. Long H. 0. LONG. SKATE DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, I920.

Patented June 7,1921.

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HILLARY C. LONG, 03 NEW' YOR-K, N. Y.

SKATE DEVICE.

Application filed May 8, 1920.

and State of New York have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skate Devices, of which the following is a specification, such will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to skate devices of approximately the same general form as a roller skate which is designed particularly for use by theatrical folks, and especially acrobatsand is adapted for use upon the head of the user, and the object of the invention is to provide a device of the class and for the purpose specified which is simple in construction and operation, strong and durable, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed;

The invention is fully disclosed in the 1 an in drawin forms a part. in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one method of using the skate device in performing a novel acrobatic feat;

Fig. 2 a side view of my improved skate device with part of the construction broken away;

F ig.-3 a bottom plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 2 with part of the construction broken away and with parts in section;

Fig. 1 a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 2 with parts of the construction broken away;

Fig. 5 a partial section on the fine 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fi 6 a partial section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and,

Fig. 7 a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing only apart of the construction on a reduced'scale and. showing a modification.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing 1 have shown for the purpose of illustratin one use of my invention, a performing apparatus 10 comprising an inclined runway 11, a cross section of which is shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing, and the top face of the runway 11 is cut out at the corner portions thereof to form grooves 12 in which channel irons 13 are mounted, and said channel irons form Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June a, 1921.

Serial No. 379,749.

a track or runway for the skate device as hereinafter described. The runway 11 is supported in position by a suitable framework, part of which is indicated at 14 1n Fig. 1 of the drawing, and it will be noted that the lower end portion of the runway 11is curved upwardly'as shown at 15, and in the use of the device an acrobat passing downwardly over the runway with one of improved skate devices 16 upon his head will pass through the air in an arc approxi- The skate device 16, in the form of construction shown, consists of a frame member 19 comprising a top plate 20 having downwardly directed side flanges 21 enlarged at their lower ends as shown at: 22 to form bearings for shafts 23 and 24- mounted in the front and rear end portions of the frame member 19. The shafts -23and 21- extend beyond the outer face of the flanges 21 and wheels or rollers 25 are rotatably mounted on the extensions of the shaft 23 and smaller rollers 26 are rotatably mounted on the extensions of the shaft 24. The shafts 23 and 24 are locked against rotation in the frame member by set screws 26 and 27, as clearly shown in Fig.3;

The top plate of the frame member 19isf the frame member 19, said hood member being locatedbetween the ring 29 and the top plate of theframe member 19, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and the central top portion 31 of the hood is. adapted .to.close the aperture 28 in the top plate 20.

Secured to the ring 29 is an annular cushion ring 32 known in the profession as a drumette and which is preferably com 'znately similar to that indicated at 17 and posed of a center core 33 of twistedrrope' wrapped with tape 34:, and then inclosed in a casing 35 of feltor similar padding material. The ring 32 is secured to the ring 29 by wire loops or other similar means 36, as

indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawing. The

hood member 30 is shaped to conform with the head of the userand to closely fit the same and is provided atintervals with extending straps 37 which facilitate the proper placement of the hood on the head. The skate device is firmly held in engagement with the head by a heavy elastic strap or band 38, one end portion of which is secured to a loop 39 permanently secured to one of the side, flanges 21 of the frame mem ber 19 and the other end of the strap 38 is provided with a hook-shaped device 40 which is adapted to be placed beneath the other side flange 21, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6 of the drawing, after the strap hasbeen passed beneath the chin of the user as is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

In theuse of the skate device, the same is placed upon the head of the acrobat or performer with the large wheels or rollers 25 at the front portion of the head, or above the forehead, and the acrobat or performer stands upon his head at the top of the runway 11 and places the wheels or rollers 25 and 26 in the angle iron traeks 13 as shown in Fig. 6, and descends down over -the runway in a balanced position and leaps the gap between the lower end of the runway and the platform 18 and lights upon the platform on his head or the skate device th dreon as is diagrammatically illustrated in .Fig. 1. The inner faces of the wheels or rollers 26 are beveled inwardly to a'slight extent as shown at alto provide for a free action of said wheels or rollers on the tracks or runways 13, and to prevent binding or unnecessary friction which would cause the acrobat or performer to lose his balance, and

it will be understood that the wheels or rollr durable service.

. It will also be apparent that by providing large wheels or rollers 25 at the front of the skate device and smaller wheels or rollers-26 at the rear end thereof, the performer will be able to fobtain a proper balance while descending on the runway 11 or will keep his head in the proper relative. position with his body. The same result may be accomplished, however, by providing two wheels or rollers 42 of the same size which are mounted in connection with a frame member connectionwith a runway and in performing a leap the gap acrobatic. feat, but may be used in any desired manner, or in various performances, and while I have shown and described certain details of construction for carryingmy invention into effect,I am not necessarily limited to these details, and various. changes therein and modifications thereof may be made, Within the scope of the what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention,

inga suitable frame, two pairs of anti-friction membersinounted in connection with said frame, a hood member on said frame, and a cushion ring secured to said frame within said hood member.

4. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, twopairs of anti-friction members mounted in connection with said frame, a hood member on said frame, a cushion ring secured to said frame within said hoodineinber, .and a flexible strap mounted in connection with said frame;

5. A device of the class described comprising a suitable frame, two pairs of anti-friction members mounted in connection with said frame, a hood member on said frame, a cushion ring secured to said frame within said hood member, and a flexible strap mounted in connection with said frame, one end portion of said strap being permanently secured to the frame and the other end portion thereof detachably connected therewith.

6. In a device of the class described, a frame comprising a top plate having side flanges, shafts mounted in the end portions of said flanges, wheels rotatably mounted on said shafts, and a hood member secured to the top plate of said frame.

frame. comprising a .top' plate having side flanges, shafts mounted in the end portions of said flanges, wheels rotatably mounted on said shafts, a hood member, a metallic ring for securing said hood member to the top plate of the frame, andan annular cushion member mounted within said hood member and secured to said metallic ring.

8. In a devicev of the class described, a frame comprisinga top plate having side flanges, shafts mounted in the end portions of said flanges, wheels rotatably mounted on said shafts, a hood member, the top plate of said frame being provided with an aperture, a metallic ring secured tosaid top plate about the aperture therein and adapted to secure said hood to said frame, an annular cushion member secured to said metallic ring, and an elastic band mounted in connection with one of the side flanges of the frame and adapted to be detachably connected with the other side flange thereof.

9. In a device of the class described, a frame comprising a top plate having flanges at the opposite sides thereof, shafts mounted in the end portions of said flanges and extending therethrough, wheels rotatably mounted on the extensions of said shafts, the wheels on one of said shafts being larger than those on the other shaft, and the inner faces of said wheels being beveled inwardly toward the axis thereof.

10. In a device of the class described, a frame comprising a top plate having flanges at the opposite sides thereof, shafts mounted in the end portions of said flanges and extending therethrough, wheels rotatably mounted on the extensions of said shafts, the wheels on one of said shafts being larger than those on the other shaft, and the inner faces of said wheels being beveled inwardly toward the axis thereof, a cushion member mounted in connection with the top plate of said frame, and an elastic band one end of which is secured to one of the flanges of said frame and adapted to be detachably connected with the other flange thereof.

11. A performing apparatus of the class described comprising a skate device consist ing' of a suitable frame, wheels mounted in connection with said frame, a hood secured to said frame, an inclined runway over which said skate device is adapted to pass, and means on said runway for guiding the wheels of said skate device in its movement thereon.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of the subscribing witnesses this 7th day of May, 1920.

HILLARY C. LONG.

.Witnesses:

C. E. MULREANY, H. E. THOMPSON. 

